Jeeps and Heat

[AndySpill]

Have other owners found cranking their JLs to be somewhat sluggish in heat waves like I just have?

I have a 3.6L JL with dual AGM batteries, main and aux, recently replaced (a few weeks ago) in tandem.

In retrospect I wish I had gone with an Odyssey brand for the Aux14 battery, instead picking the AGM brand I found on Amazon from last time I swapped batteries (an ACDelco Gold AUX14-200), which performed fine last time, but I did put in a group 94R (H7) Odyssey AGM for the main battery.

Maybe my problems lie elsewhere: AGM batteries tend to do better in the heat (within reason) that their ordinary lead acid counterparts, but have others experienced a connection between high ambient temperatures and sluggish cranks, and if so, to what have you been able to attribute this to most in your JLs?

TIA

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[Dan M.]

I have a stock JL with the 3.6 and haven't noticed this. therefore could have something to do with the aftermarket battery set up.

 

[WillysMeow]

Knock wood, been fine but i deleted that stupid second battery months ago.

 

[Reinen]

The ACDelco Aux 14 battery was kind of a mistake when paired with an Odyssey H7 Main. It wont last as long as an Odyssey and it will stress the Odyssey Main as it goes, shortening its lifespan.

If its only been a couple weeks you might want to get an Odyssey Aux 14 to save the investment you made on the Main.

I have Odyssey on both and about 3 years in they are both showing surprisingly little signs of age.

 

[Terrymo]

3.6 etorque if it’s relevant. I am in a desert adjacent part of SoCal and we can have weeks where we range 103 to 108, but I would say our average temp in July is 99 degrees. I have not experienced this with either the OEM battery or my replacement Odyssey battery. Perhaps @Nokones or others in truly hot climates have better info for you.

 

[THAW]

Warm ambient temps aren't a direct cause of sluggish engine cranking, but can expose failing parts.

 

[Old Dogger]

We have 4 jeeps with the 3.6 engine. Even in the heat of Phoenix, I have not experienced what you are having with yours.

 

[croppz]

The ACDelco Aux 14 battery was kind of a mistake when paired with an Odyssey H7 Main. It wont last as long as an Odyssey and it will stress the Odyssey Main as it goes, shortening its lifespan.

If its only been a couple weeks you might want to get an Odyssey Aux 14 to save the investment you made on the Main.

I have Odyssey on both and about 3 years in they are both showing surprisingly little signs of age.

Or hear me out.


Delete the aux and change to an h7 main and never worry about it again

 

[alphawolff]

Warm ambient temps aren't a direct cause of sluggish engine cranking, but can expose failing parts.

Actually it's the summer heat that kills batteries. You just don't notice the effect until the winter when the batteries' cranking power is most noticeable. Takes a lot more juice to get cold oil spinning.

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